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Vikings’ GM Spielman open, as always, to trading for additional picks

ST. PAUL — Only once in the past four NFL Drafts has Vikings General Manager Rick Spielman not made 10 selections, and that draft wasn’t one of his best.

In 2016, the Vikings had eight picks, and none has developed into a starter. That draft included the selections of guard Willie Beavers in the fourth round and wide receiver Moritz Bohringer in the sixth, neither of whom made the opening-day roster.

There always will be misses in the draft. With 10 picks, Spielman believes there are more chances for a hit, and indications are he’s looking to add to the eight picks the Vikings already have in the draft that begins Thursday, April 26, in Arlington, Texas.

“I’ve always had the philosophy of getting as many of those picks (as possible), but also not passing up on good football players just to get the picks,” Spielman said.

The Vikings are set to start with the No. 30 pick in Thursday’s first round. On Friday, they’re slated to pick 62nd overall in the second round and 94th overall in the third round. For Day 3 on Saturday, they currently have a fifth-round pick, three in the sixth and one in the seventh.

In his six seasons as Vikings GM, Spielman regularly has made draft-day trades. Players taken with those picks have included Harrison Smith, Anthony Barr and Teddy Bridgewater in the first round; Dalvin Cook in the second; Danielle Hunter and Pat Elflein in the third; Jarius Wright in the fourth; Stefon Diggs in the fifth; and Shamar Stephen in the seventh.

Last year, the Vikings made a whopping seven trades in the draft and selected nine players on Day 3. Among those were fourth-round picks Ben Gedeon, a linebacker who became a starter, and defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson.

“I think it’s taking as many swings as you can down in those later rounds,” Spielman said.

Before becoming general manager in 2012, Spielman was Minnesota’s vice president of player personnel from the 2007 draft through 2011. During that period, players taken in the fourth round or later included Brian Robison (fourth), Everson Griffen (fourth) and John Sullivan (sixth)

“It’s not where you start, it’s where you finish,” said Griffen, a defensive end who has made three Pro Bowls.

Considering Spielman’s penchant for trading, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Vikings deal the No. 30 pick. If they keep the selection, the GM said, a player could be taken at one of “five different positions.”

The Vikings have needs at offensive line, defensive tackle, cornerback, safety, linebacker and tight end. They also could take a running back or wide receiver in a later round.

Who might be a player Minnesota hits on outside the first round? Draft analyst Dane Brugler named as possibilities North Carolina State running back Nyheim Hines, North Carolina linebacker Andre Smith and Indiana tight end Ian Thomas. A source said Minnesota is intrigued by Texas cornerback Holton Hill as a possible mid-round pick.

Former Vikings defensive tackle Keith Millard will announce the team’s second-round pick, and former safety Robert Griffith their third-round selection. … A week after signing linebacker Eric Kendricks to a contract extension, Spielman said the Vikings are “working on” locking up other players and have the money to do so. Barr, Hunter and Diggs are in line for extensions.

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